A Star Trek reunion: Original series stars to appear at TrekFest XXV

A handful of original Star Trek stars will appear at TrekFest XXV in Riverside, Iowa, June 26-27, 2009.

TrekFest is a small-town festival with a Star Trek theme. Riverside, Iowa is the official Future Birthplace of Captain James T. Kirk - the character played by William Shatner in the original 1960's Star Trek television series.

Like the rest of the community, I'm looking forward to having three of the original Star Trek stars at TrekFest. It doesn't seem possible that it's been 25 years, but TrekFest has thrived and is bigger and better than ever.

In 1984, former city councilman, Steve Miller, came up with the idea to dub Riverside, Iowa - The Future Birthplace of Captain James T. Kirk. This far out idea was approved by the city and by Star Trek creator, Gene Roddenberry. That year, the town's annual River Fest celebration was renamed TrekFest. The family-friendly event has lived long and prospered - reaching its 25th Anniversary year in 2009. To commemorate the anniversary, three actors from the original 1960's Star Trek TV series (George Takei, Nichelle Nichols and Walter Koenig) will beam in and participate in TrekFest events.

Miller said, "Like the rest of the community, I'm looking forward to having three of the original Star Trek stars at TrekFest. It doesn't seem possible that it's been 25 years, but TrekFest has thrived and is bigger and better than ever."

George Takei portrayed Hikaru Sulu, the helm officer for the U.S.S. Enterprise in the original Star Trek television series. Takei's credits include over 30 feature films and hundreds of television guest starring roles. Takei received a star on Hollywood Boulevard's Walk of Fame in 1986 - his hand print and signature may be found in the forecourt of the landmark Grauman's Chinese Theater. In 1986, Takei co-wrote (with Robert Asprin) the science fiction novel, Mirror Friend, Mirror Foe and in 1994 penned his memoirs in To the Stars.

Nichelle Nichols portrayed Lieutenant Uhura, and served as chief communications officer under Captain Kirk through both Star Trek television series. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. noted this was the first non-stereotypical role portrayed by a black woman in television history. Before turning to acting, Nichols sang with Duke Ellington and Lionel Hampton. She has also appeared in numerous movies, plays and television projects. Nichols was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on January 9, 1992.

Walter Koenig portrayed Ensign Pavel Chekov, navigation officer for the U.S.S. Enterprise in the original Star Trek TV series. Koenig's professional acting career spans more than 46 years of stage, television and film work. Koenig is also best known for the hated, intensely driven Alfred Bester on "Babylon 5." His autobiography - Warped Factors: A Neurotic's Guide to the Universe - was published in1988. Koenig appeared at TrekFest in 2008 when major flooding devastated Iowa.

George Takei, Nichelle Nichols and Walter Koenig will appear at the following events on Saturday, June 27, 2009:

• TrekFest Parade (10 a.m.) - The stars will ride on a special float. Location: Downtown Riverside.
• Costume Contest (11:15 a.m.) - The stars will judge the Star Trek-themed contest. Location: Main Stage - Hall Park in Riverside.
• Question & Answer Session with the Stars (1:15 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.) - George Takei, Nichelle Nichols and Walter Koenig will take questions from the audience and talk about their accomplishments. Location: Riverside Casino & Golf Resort Event Center. Tickets for the event are $25 or $125 plus tax and an online/phone ticketing fee (this fee is waived when tickets are purchased in the casino gift shop). The $125 ticket includes entrance to the reception, a commemorative TrekFest XXV t-shirt, and a photo and autograph session with the three stars. Tickets are on sale in the casino's gift shop and online at - Riverside Casino and Golf Resort. Ticket sales from this event benefit the Riverside Area Community Club (R.A.C.C). Doors open at 12:15 p.m. Open to all ages.
• Photo/Autograph Session with the Stars (3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.) There will be a nominal fee for autographs and photos with the stars. Open to all ages. Location: Riverside Casino & Golf Resort Event Center. *Attendees of the Q & A will have priority to the photo/autograph session.

The master of ceremonies for the Q & A Session with the Stars will be Professor John Tenuto. Chair of the Anthropology/Sociology Department at the College of Lake County in Grayslake, Illinois. One of classes he teaches is - The Sociology of Star Trek. Tenuto is an internationally-recognized expert on Star Trek and Star Wars and has conducted extensive research on both genres and their fans.